Sunday, March 29, 2009

Today I saw an old man pray...

...and he took longer to pray than he did to eat. He had so much to say and his prayer went on forever. He had a very small, inexpensive meal but he must have been so thankful for it. I tried not to look. I didn't want to impose on a private moment between he and God. But God allowed me to be a part. Seeing that our family had more than enough to eat, nice clothes to wear and so much to be thankful for. But do I pray to thank God for longer than the security of having these things? Do I thank Him every time we are able to purchase things, pay bills, drive our car or fix things around our house? No. So much I take for granted that I don't want to. To pray longer than it takes to eat a meager meal...it was something that touched me. No sign of the cross, maybe not catholic, didn't matter. He was a thankful soul and more gracious toward his Creator than I may ever be.
Now as I try to find something for dinner in the house, I'm coming up empty. We haven't been to the store in a long time. Busy with taxes, business, life. Somehow I feel guilty that my bread is stale, my refrigerator is full of condiments and I'm frustrated. I'm trying to remember the man that prayed. I have so much to be thankful for. Condiments and stale bread should be okay. I did manage to thank God for that man but my sense of unworthiness will last for a long time to come.

1 comment:

Pablo the Mexican said...

Dear Madam,

I cannot speak for the old man; proper prayer begins with an acknowledgement to whom it is we are praying, thus the sign of the cross.

When we pray, especially the Holy Rosary, we are walking in the garden of Heaven. If we run through the garden to get from one side to the other, we are not recieving the benefit a leisurely stroll would give us.

Don't wait for old age to slow you down, stop and smell the roses.

Happy Lent.

pablo